Eric Zane, fired from his radio show, re-emerges with podcast debut

Radio personality Eric Zane, fired Friday from WBBL (107.3-FM), is continuing his show via a podcast.

"The Eric Zane Show Podcast" began Sunday night with the intent to be available for listeners each morning Monday thru Friday, Zane said.

"People have been really, really good," he said of the response since Friday. "When you did that type of show, people liked to be involved and help out in some way. This (podcast) allows them to remain a part of the show, and it's quite liberating.

"Yes, it's a curveball for me to deal with this, but with the positive response I don't feel like this is an obstacle that is completely static."

The show is free with additional options, including video content, available for $5 or $10 a month, he said. T-shirts and merchandise are also available.

Zane and his morning show were among cuts made by the Cumulus Media-owned station, which by late Friday abandoned sports in favor of country. Zane's co-host, Ben Glaze, and station program director Marcus Bradman were also let go, while Bill Simonson's "The Huge Show" was purchased by Michigan Media Network.

Zane, who also hopes to reach audiences via more than 18,000 followers on Twitter, vowed not to change his format of storytelling from the news of the day. He will also continue Thursday interviews with his father in a "Dear Meathead" segment.

"The content is similar, but I swear a little more because I naturally do," Zane said with laugh. "Not lascivious, gross-natured stuff. I'm not into that. But If I need to punctuate a funny story with an f-bomb, I'm damn well going to do it."

He is hopeful Glaze, his former co-host, will also appear.

"I offered and I'm waiting to hear back," he said. "We'll see."

Zane had a podcast for a short period about three years ago after he was fired from the "Free Beer and Hot Wings" show that originated in Grand Rapids and before he was hired at WBBL.

This time the show is originating in a studio above his garage.

“Most people get some content via podcast or streaming content and they’re a different audience,” Zane said. "They’re zeroed in because of the programming. They seek it out as opposed to background noise.

“I won’t ever say radio has no place because it’s still great to get in your car and push a button and there it is,” Zane said. “This medium (podcasts), which was laughed at five, 10 years ago, isn’t laughed at anymore because it’s very viable.”

Zane is also the public address voice of the Grand Rapids Griffins and the Grand Rapids Drive.